AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2005 > October > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOn Smoltz’s shoulders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
He’s defied the skeptics before, and the Braves really, really need John Smoltz to do it again tonight.
The veteran with the sore shoulder needs to do some hero-level stuff tonight in game 2 of the division series, or else the Braves could be staring at not just their fourth consecutive division series loss, but the very real possibility of getting swept by the Houston Astros.
Because for all of Jorge Sosa’s Houdini escapes and 9-0 road record this season, he’ll be going up against 20-game winner Roy Oswalt on Saturday at raucous Minute Maid Park in Houston, where the Astros were the toughest home team in the league for most of the season.
So it falls upon Smoltz’s shoulders tonight, along with the veteran members of the lineup. The Braves did enough offensively in Game 1 to win, but not with the poor performance they got from Tim Hudson and the beleaguered bullpen. Smoltz, pitching with a sore shoulder and making his first start since Sept. 23, needs to give the Braves at least seven strong innings and preferably eight, so the Braves can hand over a lead to Kyle Farnsworth and hope that his career-best regular season will carry over to the postseason.
As for Hudson, it’s not too comforting a thought for the Braves right now, knowing that he’d have to face Pettitte or Clemens in a potential Game 4 or Game 5 if the Braves can get themselves back into this series. Hudson, for all his greatness in the past five seasons with Oakland — he was the winningest pitcher in the AL over that stretch — hasn’t done much in the postseason, at least not since firing a very fine eight scoreless innings to beat the Yankees in his second playoff start.
Since then he’s gone 0-2 with 5.73 ERA in his past five postseason starts, with 30 hits, 14 earned runs and 10 walks allowed in 22 innings (by the way, I don’t know why I keep hearing talking heads and such say Hudson only had four postseason starts going into yesterday’s game; he had six. He’s had seven starts and one relief appearance in the postseaon, and is 1-3 with a 3.98 ERA in those eight games, including six team losses).
Anyway, this may not come as a shock to you folks, but Chris Reitsma now has a 27.00 ERA and .533 opponents’ average in four career postseason games, all with the Braves, all against Houston, and all losses. He’s given up eight hits, 10 earned runs and two homers in 3-1/3 innings in those four games _ three last October and Wednesday.
And not to be pessimistic or anything, but here’s something worth making a mental note: Kyle Farnsworth has 5.93 ERA in his past 27 appearances vs. Houston (all regular season), with 30 hits, four homers and 14 walks to go with 40 K in 30-1/3 innigs.
As I said, it looks like this one is up to Smoltz.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Marc Spoor
October 6, 2005 04:30 PM | Link to this
I am tired of reading how the Braves would have won if the stadium were sold out. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and have been a die hard Braves fan for 25 years. I met Dale Murphy at Dodger stadium, and he took a picture with me, and signed a ball. From that moment on I hated the Dodgers and was a Braves fan through and through. Regretably I have not yet seen a game in Atlantaa, every year I go to all the games in LA and some in San Diego. I can tell you right now that the Dodgers sell out nearly every game and they do not win. They sold out every fgame of the last two playoff series they were in and won one game. There is no way the Braves would have won with 10,000 more fans in the stands.
The problem lies with the strategy that JS and BC employ, they draft, trade, and sign guys to get to the post season, no tto win in the post season. Maddux, Glavine(save for one year), Avery, Hampton, Hudson, these guys can’t cut it in the post season. We need power arms. We had Capellan, and Colon. But of course instead of trying to develop these guys, JS gives up on them and trades them. How great would it be to have to guys that throw 98-100 at the front of the rotation in a couple of years. How long did it take Randy Johnson to come into his own, or Curt Schilling. I like the look of Chuck James and Kyle Davies, but I guarantee you that they will not win in the post season.
This team needs a shake up. Let Furcal go, he swings for the fences, has a tendency to slump, and a tendency to drink. Take the 8 millon and bring in some power arms for the bullpen or rotation. This team needs to be shaken up. I love BC but he is to laid back, we need a guy like Jim Leyland some one who will kick but and not always do what is comfortable. Let the rookies play, let’s usher in a new era of clutch hitting and power arms.
As for Hudson, BC makes me sick with this he was to fired up Bull s**t. Hudson was tagged as an ace, he gets paid 12 millon a year, he does not get to be to fired up. He does not have the luxury to throw away a game maybe a playoff series, I mean come on. DId Michael Jordan ever get to fired up for a playoff game and go 0 for 20. Do you think if he did have an off game the fans would say, “you know there were 10,000 empty seats�. Do you think Derek Jeter ever goes 0 for a playoff series, or even makes an error. Or how about Andy Pettite, why wasn’t he to fired up, why didn’t he loose his control? Do you think Tom Brady ever gets to fired up for a super bowl, or Joe Montana. I’ll tell you why, because these guys are aces, MVP’s, and clutch. They get paid the big money to step up in big situations, and deliver championships for their fans. Those that don’t sre pretenders. Tim Hudson is no ace. He is simply typical of the good guy, soft tosser that JS and BC seem to always go out and get. I am and always will be a Braves fan I was when they won 60-70 games, and I will be when they win the division. It is time to win some more World Series. The simple fact is VHS tapes are outdated it is time that the Braves get some DVD’s.
Go Smoltz, our one proven winner, and go Braves. Let’s win with, or without a sell out.
By Andy
October 6, 2005 04:37 PM | Link to this
Hey Marc,
I don’t agree with everything you said—comments aside—I will be at Hollywood Billards to watch the Braves—take on Clemens—-if you want to come by—ask for “Andy—the Braves fan”
By David O'Brien
October 6, 2005 05:02 PM | Link to this
Uh, just wondering, who wrote anything whatsoever about how the Braves would have won if there’d have been 10,000 more fans in the seats? Where was that written?
Sounds like someone’s getting a tad bit defensive, and for no reason whatsoever, at least in this space? Unless you can find where I or anyone else at our paper wrote that the Braves would have won with 10,000 more people in the seats, or find where anyone wrote that that had any effect, any effect at all, on the outcome of the game.
By carroll
October 6, 2005 05:04 PM | Link to this
Actually, both Avery and Hampton were ideal postseason pitchers but injuries limited their abilities.
As for the game yesterday, one positive thing I can say about BC and the boys is that I loved the surprise bunt by Francouer.
By A Lifer
October 6, 2005 05:34 PM | Link to this
Over the past fews years, the best time of the year has been right after the division has been won and rigt before the braves dig themselves into a playoff hole and get embarrassed in the playoffs…..sigh……looks like this year will be no different. As depressing of a feeling as it is knowing the series is probably already lost….I’ll be watching tonight, hoping I am wrong…..GO BRAVES!
By Marc Spoor
October 6, 2005 05:43 PM | Link to this
Dave,
The 10,000 fans comment has been going round and round on the chop chick blog. Meant to post it there. As for the rest of the blog, it is quite obvious that the Braves system has not worked in the post season. I hope this year will be different. Go Braves!
By Sam Smith
October 6, 2005 06:04 PM | Link to this
The Braves need to fire Bobby Cox,and hire a young coach like Ozzie Guillen of the White Sox. Bobby has made this team complacent for to long. Winning only one championship in 14 years would get you fired in any other sport. So when we lose this series,let’s show Bobby the door. Winning is everything…We need to remember that.
By Bob Kidd
October 6, 2005 06:32 PM | Link to this
Tim Hudson has revealed himself this season. He is a mediocre pitcher at best. And just like Dan Kolb,can’t cut it under pressure. And why is Brian Jordan on the post season roster? Prediction. Smoltz will get shelled with his sore shoulder and BC will leave him in until the ‘Stros score 6 or 7 runs in less than 4 innings.(Don’t you love loyalty?) And once again,this team will implode in the post season. This version of the Braves is like all others. Buiit to win the division and then exit early and exit often! Go Falcons!
By Eric
October 6, 2005 06:37 PM | Link to this
Dave, I think I might be the culprit. A number of bloggers (not AJC writers) have used words like disgusting, pathetic, and a lot of other words with embedded asterisks in reference to the lack of sellouts for the playoff games. I think I was the first to ask the question about whether the Braves would have played any better if there had been 50,000 there rather than 40,000. Would 10,000 more people have helped Hudson get his pitches down? Etc. This launched a predictable debate.
By Ron Roberts
October 6, 2005 06:55 PM | Link to this
Sam, I disagree.
Without Bobby Cox, we wouldn’t even be TALKING about his coaching style in the postseason. We wouldn’t even be there this year, or probably last year, either.
It’s odd, to me, that we can spend our time raving about how well he managed this team to the division title (again) with so many injuries and with so many rookies… but when the Braves fall short in the playoffs (against quality opposition, after all it IS the playoffs), he’s horrible.
I don’t like all the things he does or decisions he makes; but if he managed an “inferior” team farther than their expectations led us to believe they’d go, then how is it he gets no benefit of the doubt if/when that same “inferior” squad just can’t keep pulling off miracles against good playoff opposition?
We could and SHOULD have won last night, no doubt. One shortcoming was our downfall - our bullpen. Tim scuffled through a rough start, and yet STILL kept us in the game. It’s all you can ask of your starter when you and he both know he doesn’t have his best stuff that day. Bobby stayed with him as long as he could, and it kept us within reach. Our ‘pen just killed us. Not our rookies… our bullpen.
I fail to see where any manager could make THAT bullpen any more effective. It’s just not MLB playoff quality.
By david
October 6, 2005 07:04 PM | Link to this
The lineup is now posted and it is LaRoche,Langerhans, & McCann batting 5,7,8 so if the Braves lose(I hope they win)I don,t want to see 1 negative post from all the know nothings from yesterday.Because 70% of the post claimed the reason the Braves lost was that BC started Jordan,Franco,and Estrada,of course it had nothing to do with our sub-par pitching from the starter and 2 arms out of the pen.The Braves are magically guaranteed a win because of the 3 following names LaRoche,Langerhans, & McCann. Smoltz should rest easy ,secure in the knowledge that he can give up 7 or 8 runs and the Braves will still win because of the 3 “magic” names. The sad part is that all the people that now scream from the rooftops for LaRoche now,wanted him run out of town on a rail only a few weeks ago.There are a few intelligent bloggers and baseball savy postings on these boards but most of the rants are extremely short sighted and show no understanding of the game.Just an ability to spew uneducated drivel.
By T Robb
October 6, 2005 07:16 PM | Link to this
Ron, I disagree. Tim Hudson did not keep us in the game yesterday. His performance was dismal. And it wasn’t a matter of stuff, he simply couldn’t locate at all. It was as dreadful a pitching performance in a clutch situation as I can remember. Making matters worse, we hired him specifically to win that game - and he couldn’t even throw strikes.
The worst bullpen in modern times then came in and put the last few nails in the coffin.
There is no way you can defend Hudson’s performance yesterday. He was horrible, and I, for one, am tired of the excuses laid out there by Bobby and the underperforming player du jour. You’re paid like a star? Play like one. Here’s one knowledgeable, passionate Braves fan who is tired of this crap.
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 08:02 PM | Link to this
Ron: that’s just the thing. It’s NOT all that great of competition. Sure their pitching is world class, but that’s NOT what did us in yesterday! It was how OUR pitching did so poorly against an offense described as “anemic” by the experts. It’s an offense without Jeff Bagwell. It features such nobody’s as Palmeiro, Lane, Tavarez and more. Hell, their biggest offensive star is Morgan friggin Ensberg???!!! WHO??!! Wasn’t he one of those easy outs the last time we beat the stros in the playoffs?! For that matter, weren’t Biggio and Bagwell too??!! And our pitching wasn’t that super back then..it was just a mental block of sorts on their part…now WE have the mental block.
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 08:37 PM | Link to this
Nothing like starting out behind the 8 ball against Clemens…thanks a lot Smoltzie! And I hope that first base ump rots in hell! What a b****** call on the grounder by Ensberg.
By Sam Smith
October 6, 2005 08:48 PM | Link to this
When we lose there will be more excuses, on why we didn’t perform. How in the world do the Braves continue to lose to wild card opponents..and yet have one of the better records in the regular season year after year. Bobby has to motivate his team better.. Chipper is a cancer..not a leader, he makes excuses right with the management.
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 08:57 PM | Link to this
Oh my god we actually laid down a perfect sac bunt and Francy actually took some pitches. Look out for the apocalypse.
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 09:13 PM | Link to this
Is this 1st base ump the same one that Estrada started yelling at earlier this year…the one that obviously has it in for the Braves?
By Tony
October 6, 2005 09:17 PM | Link to this
Furcal up to his old tricks again….Clemens eats little guys like Furcal and Giles for lunch. Thanks McCann…
By A Lifer
October 6, 2005 09:29 PM | Link to this
this performance proves it….leave in the rooks!
By T Robb
October 6, 2005 09:30 PM | Link to this
Sam, Chipper isn’t a cancer. Pitchers who are paid $11m to throw strikes and can’t, they’re a cancer. Bullpen pitchers who can’t get anybody out, they’re a cancer. Chipper is not a cancer. He is a Hall of Fame player and the heart and soul of the team.
By Tony
October 6, 2005 10:00 PM | Link to this
T. Robb…Chipper is the most talented everyday player, but the heart and soul of team is a bit much. And he is not a cancer…good grief. He’s just not a natural leader…he does it in his own way.
By Eric
October 6, 2005 10:06 PM | Link to this
6th inning - Smoltz is hurting. Just watch.
By mizb
October 6, 2005 10:19 PM | Link to this
C’mon guys only positive thoughts for our Braves!!! We don’t need no Smoltz is hurting stuff in here. Just support the team!!
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 10:20 PM | Link to this
He looks fine to me. Look folks, it’s gonna be sore for the rest of the season. He’s gonna deal with it I think. Period.
By Eric
October 6, 2005 10:25 PM | Link to this
The “cancer” just made a sensational play at 3rd. Reeksma warming up. Lettuce spray.
By Eric
October 6, 2005 10:38 PM | Link to this
Apparently it’s not possible to support the team and also make the observation that Smoltz was grimacing and stretching. Like if you don’t believe there were WMD in Iraq, then you don’t support the troops. Sheeesh.
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 10:40 PM | Link to this
Good god! I hope this p** poor baserunning and retarded umps don’t come back to haunt us. Another terrible call on Furcal at 3rd base.
By T Robb
October 6, 2005 10:47 PM | Link to this
Nah, Carroll, he was out. Let’s not miss the story tonight - Smoltz toughed it out and gave us just what we had to have - seven good innings. And his shoulder was clearly hurting him in the sixth and seventh.
C’mon, Reitsma, you freakin’ turd!
By Tony
October 6, 2005 10:50 PM | Link to this
Way to go Rietsma…maybe this is a confidence builder.
By Eric
October 6, 2005 10:51 PM | Link to this
The call at 3rd and all three calls at 1st were correct. Not what we wanted, but correct.
What did Reitsma yell at the fans when he came off the field? He looked really p**.
By T Robb
October 6, 2005 10:52 PM | Link to this
Six run lead - how about Devine in the ninth? Or do we not f*($ around, go with Farnsworth?
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 11:16 PM | Link to this
HURRAH! AWESOME JOB TONIGHT!!!! LET’S KEEP IT UP IN HOUSTON!!
Hudsy, I hope you learned a thing or two about pitching in big games tonight from the old pro!
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 11:20 PM | Link to this
I don’t wanna see you boys back in the home whites until game 3 again the Cards (or game 1 again the Pads!!!)
By david
October 6, 2005 11:28 PM | Link to this
Great win! one thing to keep in mind the 5 runs that the Braves scored in Game 1 would be enough in the other 6 playoff games to date if their score was substituted for the winning team to have 5 wins and 1 game would have gone into extra innings.Pitching wins games in particular NL Playoff games.Just a fantastic all around game Pitching,offense and defense! Sosa will come strong Saturday night-if we can get a couple of runs early to work with- BRAVES WIN!
By Eric
October 6, 2005 11:38 PM | Link to this
Dave O’B, if you are reading this, I really would be interested in knowing about Reitsma as he was coming off the field at the end of the 8th. Maybe he was just calling up to his family or something, but he looked angry. If this was a Rocker-like outburst, the fans deserve to know.
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 11:38 PM | Link to this
I look for Sosy to be this year’s version of the 1997 Livan Hernandez. Go get ‘em kid!
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 11:41 PM | Link to this
Eric: the fans we’re on him pretty good every tme he threw a ball (as well they should have been). HE needn’t be angry at anyone but himself and his 108.00 postseason era.
One other possibility, I heard the announcers say at one point that somebody threw something on the field again from the upper deck. PErhaps it landed in the neighborhood of Reeksma and he took exception to it.
By john hoar
October 6, 2005 11:41 PM | Link to this
Haven’t said too much lately, but sure haven’t agreed with all the negative comments. Like everyone else, I was disappointed with the Game 1 lineup. Tonight we looked damned good, and we are going to take this series!
By david
October 6, 2005 11:43 PM | Link to this
Eric,I’m watching Reitsma on TIVO and slowed to a crawl and I can’t read his lips,a vocal outburst was there but I just can not make out what was said.
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 11:44 PM | Link to this
David: funny you say that…I did the same exact thing. You can’t tell what he said but he was definitely unhappy.
By Brian
October 7, 2005 12:39 AM | Link to this
I will never criticize BC as long as he keeps that lineup on the field. The reason I thought this year could be different is all the excitement the new kids bring. Unfortunately Bobby didn’t give them that opportunity in the first game but hopefully it’s not too late to admit his mistake and never start the old washups again - whether the other team starts a lefty or not. (If the Astros had a .500 lefty I would have started him over Clemens because you know Bobby will take all his best players out of the game for the sake of the right-left matchups…EVEN IF HIS LEFTIES ARE BETTER AGAINST LEFTIES!!!) But win or lose I’m behind the Braves that were on the field tonight because at least they give us a chance. And for all the media that jumped on the Schilling bandwagon…I’ll gladly take Smoltz any day. Great win.
By Rick
October 7, 2005 12:41 AM | Link to this
Where is that a*le HAHAHA this evening???
By braves fan
October 7, 2005 01:08 AM | Link to this
Brian you are the type of fan the Braves DO NOT NEED! You will only support a few players and not a Braves team that includes players you don’t want to see.WHAT A JOKE the Braves sure as hell don’t your support at all. Cheer for some other team.What a loser you are.
By Rick
October 7, 2005 01:13 AM | Link to this
Brian if you remember the Braves lost game 1 becuase of Tim Hudson and the bullpens pitching, not the offense. 5 runs in the playoffs should get you the “W” most of the time
By paul
October 7, 2005 01:28 AM | Link to this
Things to take from this game:
1.Smoltz is a gutsy winner (rest of staff please have 1/10th of his guts). I swear he looked pale out there in the 7th, he was in PAIN. 2.DO NOT play Brian Jordan anymore in the postseason. 3.DO play our young kids. (they are not infected with the loser karma). 4.Chipper/Andrew/Raffie are fired up for the rest of the series.
I just have to say that what Smoltzie did tonight is one of the most gutsy performances i have ever seen under tremendous pressure. If all of our guys had the heart he does we would win a helluva lot more post season series than we do. I take my hat off to you Mr.Smoltz, you are the ultimate competitor.
By Marc Spoor
October 7, 2005 01:42 AM | Link to this
Hey David,
I guess the magic did work. LaRoach, Langerhans, and McCann sure looked better than Estrada, Franco and Jordan. Maybe before insulting other bloggers you should learn a thing or two about the strategies of baseball.
Go Braves. We have a great shot, I know Hudson will not have a repeat performance.
By Brian
October 7, 2005 02:21 AM | Link to this
Okay, braves fan, let me get this straight…the Braves shouldn’t have fans that want the best players on the field? Am I summarizing your argument correctly? Because it seems like pretty brilliant logic if I’m understanding it. Yep, I’m convinced…I’m trading in my Braves jersey. I can only hope that one day I will be a worthy sheep like you.
Rick, I agree Hudson lost the first one. But he’s one of our best pitchers. Like I said, as long as we go with our best I’ve got no complaints. If our best don’t win, then so be it. It just bothers me when our best don’t even get on the field because the other team starts a lefty and Bobby doesn’t use his brain. I mean I can’t make the argument for starting Langerhans over Jordan any better than David O’Brien did. Anyone with any common sense whatsoever should have known that Langerhans is the starter. If you don’t understand that, I can only assume that your mental capabilities are on par with BC come playoff time.
That being said, I am an optimistic Braves fan and I really believe this could be the year. Let’s just hope for lots of right-handed pitching from the opposition so we don’t have to beat 9 + Bobby. Go Braves!
By Jim
October 7, 2005 07:42 AM | Link to this
Brian, you are SOOOOOOoooooooo right! Let the guys that are hot play … forget the “hunches” you have Bobby … the “lightning in a bottle” was in the wrong vision you had …
By Jim
October 7, 2005 08:19 AM | Link to this
JOHN SMOLTZ,you ARE IT!!!! A man with a DESIRE to be the BEST! It’s a shame we don’t have more like you! But with that group of ROOKS and the Jones boys, anything is possible. Maybe Marcus and Furcal will catch the fever now!
By Rodger
October 7, 2005 08:59 AM | Link to this
It looks like the magic words McCann, Langerhans, LaRoche did the trick! Maybe If we say them three times and click our heels together…?
By Fabrizio Di Muro
October 7, 2005 09:03 AM | Link to this
There we go. Series tied 1 - 1. You just knew that Smoltz wouldn’t disappont. At least I felt that way —I thought that Smoltz would give us a great chance to win, and we roughed up Roger Clemens and got into their bullpen early. That’s great. Maybe we get in their after six or seven innings on Saturday, and those guys have to go out there again. That’ll start taking it’s toll.
Where are all the people who early in the year said that we should’ve kept John Smoltz as a closer?
What a great play Chipper made at third tonight. He looked pumped too!! Seriously, the key was not letting the first inning get out of hand — 1 - 0 we could handle, but if we’d gotten down 3 or 4 nothing, if might have been a different story.
Jorge Sosa in game three. He’s got a better ERA than Oswalt!!
Like I said yesterday, we have a chance to be up 2 - 1!! Either way, we have a fighting chance going into Houston….I hope we sweep them there, but I honestly think it’ll come down to game 5 Monday night in Atlanta…which I think we’ll win!
By PERRY
October 7, 2005 09:03 AM | Link to this
I don’t have tvo but at first look I lip read “eat that” from Reitsma. Thank goodness for the rookies.
By Rodger
October 7, 2005 09:06 AM | Link to this
BTW-what did I say about Reeksma right back in the game? We got away with one. After the lead-off bloop, I could see things spiraling quick. Let’s hope we don’t “need” him again!
By Marc
October 7, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this
I can’t quite understand the animosity toward Reitsma. He’s not a great pitcher, but he’s probably better than anyone else for the 8th inning. In Game 1, he gave up a bunch of bloops. When he is on (and not unlucky), he is probably the only one in the bullpen capable of getting the ball to Farnsworth with a lead.
The two runs in the 7th inning were so big; they took some pressure off a shaky bullpen and kept the momentum. This has always been a problem with the Braves, especially in the playoffs—the inability to get the big hit to put teams away. Good to see it tonight.
And, Smoltz seems to be the only pitcher on this staff who really knows how to pitch, even with a sore shoulder. I remember the days when Braves starters all threw like Smoltz—throw strikes, keep command of the plate. Now, he is the only one, including Hudson. This is the first dominant playoff game the Braves have had in years.
By Fabrizio Di Muro
October 7, 2005 09:28 AM | Link to this
Well said, Marc. I agree with almost everything you say.
By david
October 7, 2005 10:41 AM | Link to this
Marc,The strategies of baseball were rendered useless by the fact that Smoltz held the Astros to 1 run.I was thrilled to see McCann, Langerhans and LaRoche play and contribute.My point is that even with Estrada,Franco, and Jordan played the Braves still scored 5 runs plenty enough to win if they had received good pitching.Had Smoltz and the bullpen given up ten runs in Game 2 like Hudson and mates did in Game 1 the Braves would be down 0-2.If you want to believe in the magic beans theory or karma great, but pitching is the key.
By MT
October 7, 2005 12:35 PM | Link to this
Marc—I’m with you on Reitsma. The guy has done ANYTHING we’ve asked of him since he came here. He was a dynamite set-up man last year, until he wore down (b/c he had never pitched anywhere near that much—career # of appearances year by year, since his rookie year were: 36, 32, 57, and then 84 last year and 76 this year). How soon we forget that he was our lights out closer when no one else could step up to the job, and was even MLB Reliever of the Month for July. In Game 1, contrary to those that believe it was just another case of “Bobby-speak”, he really did get blooped to death. The first hit was a blooper over Giles’ head. The second was a slow grounder to Giles that was so slow that he couldn’t get to it in time to get the out. The last hit was Biggio’s liner off Chipper’s glove. And that’s it. Thursday night, he came in and pitched a scoreless 8th. In order for us to advance, we have GOT to have him pitching well. Your best bet is to root for him and encourage him, rather than cuss him out everytime he gets a two-ball count (which is exactly what happened last night). I guess you think it’s frigging hilarious to call him Reeksma (which isn’t very funny anyway), rather than realize he’s gone to the post as many times as we’ve asked him, never been injured, and taken on a variety of roles for us these last two years. I hope he proves you all wrong.
By Fan in NC
October 7, 2005 02:03 PM | Link to this
All I can say is GOD BLESS JOHN SMOLTZ!
As for Reitsma (Runs Every Inning, Trouble Stars Most Always) I’m tired of hearing about how he’s got such great stuff and how he’s getting beat on “soft hits.” The bottom line is that they runs still count whether the balls are hit hard or not and almost every time they run him out there in a big spot, he give up runs. Send him off to an early vacation with Kolb and let me see Horacio Ramirez in the seventh and eighth.
By dannycardwell
October 7, 2005 02:43 PM | Link to this
reitsma is a good pitcher. he got over used this year just like last year and it shows.he should not be making 70-80 appearances a season. hopefully next year we will learn to trust the kids more and bring up fresh arms when needed. his being over used is probably nobodys fault due to all the injuries over the year. im hoping devine and chuck james get the chance to help next year.
By MT
October 7, 2005 03:03 PM | Link to this
“Fan in NC”—you’re obviously a total moron if you think we should put Ramirez in in the seventh and/or eigth inning. Here’s Ramirez’s stats this year as a reliever: 3.2 IP, 6 Hits, 5 ER, 3 HRs, 2 BB, and a 12.27 ERA. Yeah…put in Horacio in relief. Great idea, coach. If you’re going to disagree, fine. But back it up with some logic. I understand that the runs count just the same—my point is that he’s a good enough pitcher that the majority of the team those bloop hits won’t fall, and he’ll pitch a scoreless inning, as he did in Game 2.
By Ron Roberts
October 7, 2005 03:16 PM | Link to this
One thing I think the T.Robb’s and Carroll’s of this blog-world need to realize…
Everybody kept bashing on Hudson’s G1 performance, the bullpens’ meltdown, etc., and crying about Houston’s offense being “anemic” all season.
Folks, the Houston we played early in the year, the team that started the year 19-32, and was at one point 15 games below .500, isn’t there, anymore. Stop looking at the season’s aggregate stats. They improved their batting average by 7 points after the All-Star break. They got Lance Berkman off the DL right as we played ‘em in our home series, and he’s back in good form now.
What numbskull was it that was griping about “who” Morgan Ensberg was? He “only” batted .283 with 36 HR and 101 RBI. Is that “anemic?” No.
Folks, Houston’s in the playoffs for a reason. They have a great pitching staff, bullpen and more than decent-enough offense.
That being said, I don’t think I’d want ANYBODY else starting an important game 3 than Jorge Sosa. I wasn’t 100% sold on him when Cox wa strying to figure out whether he or Horacio should remain in the rotation upon Hampton’s (ill-fated) return, but he’s proven himself. I hope he’ll maintain his poise on the road (9-0 road record this season).
By Rodger
October 7, 2005 03:34 PM | Link to this
MT, do you have sime anger issues you need to work out? Oh, and say hi to your brother-in-law Chris when you talk to him.
By Kirby
October 7, 2005 03:44 PM | Link to this
I have been a Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves fan since 1948, and have borne witness to some great teams, and some very poor teams. I have cheered for players when they have performed superbly, and have been disappointed when when they have been abysmal. But during all those years I have never hurled the personal invectives against them that I have been reading on this blog. I don’t understand it. If a Braves player doesn’t perform well, what purpose does it serve to berate and insult him? My god, when Gil Hodges went 0 for 21 in the 1952 World Series against the Yankees, Dodger fans supported and even prayed for him. They didn’t demean and ridicule him. Who can blame Reitsma for being upset? He’s trying his best, and the manager obviously believes it’s important to the team to have Reitsma pitching capably and confidently. That’s why he put him in yesterday.
Does it help the Braves that their 8th-inning pitcher is bothered by the fact that his own fans boo him? Bobby Cox doesn’t scream at his players and doesn’t show them up, and he has more at stake than you and I do.
I’ll close by echoing what others have said on this thread about the game one lineup. It produced 5 runs in a game started by Andy Pettitte. The regular lineup was not the problem. The problem was awful pitching, both starting and relief - 9 walks allowed,.
By dannycardwell
October 7, 2005 10:48 PM | Link to this
well said kirby. reitsma has been over used 2 years in a row. used properly with a fresh arm, he is as good as it gets in middle relief.
By Tired of Reeksma
October 9, 2005 09:15 AM | Link to this
You can make all the excuses for him you want (why not, senile old Bobby Cox does too), but the bottom line is that Reeksma doesn’t get anybody out and HE’S GOT TO GO! Maybe he and Kolb can open up a restaurant together somewhere. They can call it “No Relief,” because that’s what they’ve given the Braves.
By okoou
October 9, 2005 08:20 PM | Link to this
I hope all the Braves enjoyed watching what a REAL MAN does when his team needs bullpen help. Roger Clemens is the ultimate team player and Smoltz is a sored-armed-pussbag. Enjoy your fancy starter status this offseason and watch REAL major leaguers continue to play, Shmaltzy.
By Braves fan
October 11, 2005 01:03 PM | Link to this
okoou, what kind of “real man’s” name is that f* a$$ sh*t? The truth is, Smoltz was not even going to be able to pitch in the NLCS had the Braves advanced, much less Game 5, or in relief of Game 4. Get your facts straight (and a heterosexual name) before you start questioning the manhood of the best postseason pitcher in history. Wait, who was it that beat Clemens? Oh yeah, it was Smoltz. Go f@ck yourself.
By okoou
October 12, 2005 08:59 PM | Link to this
hey “braves fan”, first, it is asinine for you to make fun of my name when you post under th moniker “”braves fan”. second, your boy smoltz has a sore shoulder because his weakass could not handle a year of starting pitching. and lastly, sure he won one dumb game against clemens but clemens has more rings than old preacherfaggot smoltz and his team is alive tonight after kicking booby cox’s and midget mazzone’s post season stupidity. scoreboard, you dumb country-f*******, SCOREBOARD.